Abuja, Nigeria – Mediaage NG News – Nigeria’s Minister of State, Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa on Tuesday said if policies governing health system in the country are right, the sector will be on the verge of transformation.
He revealed this at the inauguration of the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC).
While describing the inauguration as pivotal in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Minister said it aims at improving the governance of health systems, as “the first pillar of our current focus. Others are population health outcomes, unlocking value chain, and health security”.
Dr. Tunji also said the committee were carefully selected, as seasoned healthcare professionals with varied experiences in various aspects of healthcare management, supported by the statutory regulatory bodies in the country’s health sector.
He further disclosed that the composition of the committee reflects the geopolitical zones in the country, in line with the National Health Act, 2014.
“You were chosen to ensure compliance and a high level of standards in our tertiary hospital.
“The nation looks forward to a positive shift in the status of our tertiary health services through the contribution of your committee”, he said.
The functions the committee is expected to carry out include:
- Advising the Minister on matters affecting the establishment of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria.
- Prepare periodic master plans for the balanced and coordinated development of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria.
- Establish minimum standards to be attained by the various tertiary health facilities in the nation and also to inspect and accredit such facilities, among others.
- Make relevant investigations and recommendations to the Federal and State Governments on tertiary health care services in the national interest.
- Advise the Federal Government on the financial needs, both recurrent and capital, of tertiary health services and in particular investigate and study the financial needs for training, research and services and make appropriate recommendations for these.
- Set standards and criteria for allocation of funds from the Federal Government to tertiary health institutions and monitor their utilization, source for grants as laid down by the Committee.
- Collate, analyse and publish information in relation to tertiary health care services annually, amongst others.